Archive for February 2015

Home Archive for February 2015

"The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." James 5:16b

There is an idea I've heard many times, and I've begun to "get it" over the last few years. The idea is that prayer is not something we do for God; it's something we do for us. While God does command us to pray (1 Thess. 5:17), it's not something He needs. Just like God doesn't need our worship (Acts 17:24-25), He doesn't need our prayer requests, either.

So why pray? Because God hears (Psalm 65:2). Because He sees (Genesis 16:13). Because He knows (Psalm 103:14). Prayer changes us because it is an act of humble trust in a God who cares for us (1 Peter 5:7).

Are you going through a financial crisis? Cry out to the Provider (Psalm 68:10).

Are you experiencing strain in a relationship or your marriage? Cry out to the Redeemer (Job 19:25).

Are you exhausted or sick or depressed or numb? Cry out to the Healer (Exodus 15:26).

Are you brokenhearted for a friend or family member who doesn't know the Lord? Cry out to the Savior (Hosea 13:4).

Sometimes we don't even know what to pray, but God has provided for that detail, too (Romans 8:26). Sometimes we don't want to pray because it seems like He won't answer us. Even then, He cares for us, and He commands us to pray (Matt. 26:41).

Don't limit God to what we want Him to do. Prayers are not tokens for a wonder-working machine. Prayers are heart-changers for a broken people who believe, above all else, that the God who hears is the God who has every hair on our heads numbered (Luke 12:7), and who values us more than anything else in His creation (Psalm 8:5).

Keep praying to the God who hears, and believe He will provide and comfort and heal and save and change hearts. That is what He does, and He will do that for you in the best way (Isaiah 55:9, Romans 8:28). Prayer glorifies our loving, Almighty God, and prayer changes us.

I think it's great that so many people talk about unity and being united in Christ and unity among believers. This is an incredibly important topic. But I think it deserves more credit than we've given it.

Unity among believers is so much deeper than getting along, avoiding gossip, and tolerating different kinds of worship music. Those things are good; we should not gossip, and who cares what the music is like?! Let's just praise Jesus!

That's just it, though: Christ established the church to make disciples and bring glory to Himself. That is the purpose of our unity. It's not just some half-hearted, "Let's get along to make Jesus happy." It's life or death for the rest of the world.

"Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry," Paul writes from prison, "but others from good will. The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice." Philippians 1:15-18

I can be a very critical person, reading into people's intentions and assuming something must be utterly wrong if they look or act or speak a certain way. This is especially true with pastors and worship leaders. There are certain styles of preaching and singing that rub me the wrong way. It looks flamboyant or showy or self-focused or just plain wrong. So I assume these leaders have impure motives.

But they could think the same of me ("Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you." Matthew 7:1-2). And they are sometimes right!

What is the goal here? As I've been studying Galatians, Ephesians, and Philippians with the ladies at my church, my eyes have been opened to the true purpose of the church. In his letters to church groups around Asia, Paul continues to hammer this home: the church exists to lead people to Christ. And if the church is full of lazy, selfish, complaining, bickering people, that is not going to convince anybody that Jesus is worth following.

We must overcome our quickness to judge other Christians' motives. As long as they are preaching the Truth and leading people to Jesus, who cares how they do it or what their intentions are? Praise the Lord and rejoice that people are being lead to faith! Even Paul, in prison, knew that people were leading in a way meant to spite him, but he was joyful knowing that the goal of making disciples was still the main thing. And that brings God glory.

I want to end with this prayer of blessing and promise Paul wrote to the church at Philippi:

"I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God."
~ Philippians 1:3-11 (emphasis mine)

Thanks to my coworker, Noelle, for inspiring this post by posting this image on her Facebook timeline.
Please note that I am not promoting or endorsing the Growing Bolder website.

I can list a number of people I just don't like. In fact, I don't have much respect for them at all. I don't want to get to know them, I don't want to acknowledge their presence, and I certainly don't want to love them.

Why do I feel this way?

Because they have been rude to me or hurt me in some way. Because I've seen how they interact with others, and I am offended by their behavior. Because they are narcissistic and selfish.

But I am that person.

When Christ didn't offer His love to worthy people. We have all despised and rejected Him at some point. We have all spat in His face and run away from His open arms.

I am unworthy, but He loves me still.

There are people who are easy to love because, while they have faults, they have shown love to us. They have been friendly to us or helped us with something. You could say they seem a little more worthy than others to receive our love.

Because love is a vulnerable, precious thing. Sometimes we can feel like we're throwing our pearls to swine (see Matthew 7 for context) when we love someone who is rude and selfish and ego-centric.

But how much more amazing is that love when we pour it out freely on those who don't deserve it? How amazing is the love of Christ, who loved us while we were yet sinners?

As I struggle to learn to love these unlovable people, I have an ultimate example of Love to follow, and He never stopped to think whether I was worthy. Thank You, Jesus!

I lead a small group of middle school girls for the discipleship program at The Potter's House School. Each week I am encouraged by the faith and love these young ladies have and by the testimonies shared by other leaders.

Today was a fun day at discipleship. A group of students danced into the gym where we meet to the tune of "Happy" by Pharrell Williams. With smiles on their faces, they passed out small pieces of paper to each person in the room. As I opened mine, I was not only delighted with what I read but motivated to do the same for someone else.

The verse for today's lesson came from 1 Thessalonians 5:14-15:

And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.

Our gracious and godly leader, Patty, got us to think about how many negative messages we receive in a given week. These could be depressing news reports, discouraging visits to the doctor, insults, or our own negative thoughts. It's no wonder so many people struggle with depression and anxiety.

You're probably wondering what my slip of paper said... "Don't be afraid! Jesus is greater than all your troubles." We don't have to wait until someone is hospitalized or bed ridden or suicidal to share a message of hope. We can do something today, before we go to bed, to encourage someone.

I'm planning to print up slips of paper with a smiley face on one side and an encouraging verse or saying on the other. I'll keep them in my purse for when I think someone needs an anonymous word of encouragement. You could plan to step up your efforts to compliment people on their gifts or personality. You could write a letter to a sibling, child, or niece or nephew in college to encourage them to keep on keeping on. Whatever it is, take a moment today and encourage someone.

They say every family has one. I was the peacemaker in my family. I tend to be in my friend groups, as well, if I sense people's feathers are getting a little ruffled.

Ironically, I'm often the one to start conflict, but I don't like observing it between other parties. I want everybody to be happy, and if something I say or do can fix their problem, I'd love to try.

Lately, though, I've been learning the hard way that, more often than not, it's just plain better for me to keep my mouth shut. Grrr.

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." Matthew 5:9

You see, I used to think a peacemaker was someone who made peace. You know, like people make food or make cars. It's a tangible effort that requires some elbow grease or at least a quick wit.

But more and more, I see the people who truly make peace are those who are simply peaceful themselves. Just like you can't help but smile when a super smiley person walks into the room, a peaceful atmosphere can be created when a peaceful person is near.

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts," Paul said (Colossians 3:15). Christ is the Prince of Peace. And when the Prince of Peace rules your heart, people are going to notice. His presence will be a balm, an oasis of peace through you.

So I'm trying to keep my mouth shut when I want to make peace, trying to let Christ reign in me, and give over all my inner struggle to Him. He is the balm of Gilead. He will bring peace.

A woman I know has gone through way more trials than any person should have to face. She and her husband have both endured multiple surgeries. They've both been through cancer. Her husband has faced long-term unemployment. They adopted two children who came from very difficult circumstances and have walked with them through making sense, or struggling to make sense, of their backgrounds.

Last winter began another crazy cycle of surgeries and trials for my friend and her family. Hip surgery, shoulder surgery, back surgery, arm surgery, another back surgery, unemployment, knee surgery, all in the space of one year.

Yet this woman is the most positive, Christ-centered person I know. I have never heard her complain. She has certainly come to the point of asking God why so much is happening to her, but she doesn't whine about her problems. From my human perspective, I think she has a right to whine just a little.

As I've observed her journey through so much pain and hardship, there is one idea that stands out: she has made God her rock. Because He is her refuge, she can smile and trust Him no matter how much craziness surrounds her.

I love you, O Lord, my strength.
The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,
my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised,
and I am saved from my enemies.
~ Psalm 18:1-3

My friend has formed a habit of calling upon the Lord, praising Him, and then trusting Him completely to save her from the enemies of sickness and financial distress and family discord. She is a living testimony of God's steadfast love and faithfulness.

You and I can develop this habit, too. Instead of going to my first response of whining and complaining about my circumstances, I need to cry out to God. When I've surrendered my trials to Him, I can praise Him before others who ask how I'm doing. "God is good," I can say because I can know with certainty that God is with me, and He is my rock.

Subscribe to: Posts ( Atom )

Latest Posts

Translate

Search This Blog

Labels